As a math guy, this is something I've been pondering for a while. Is there a limit to how fast we can swim. For instance, I remember a discussion point a while back was that there was no physical way a human could run the 100m in less than 9 seconds, that the forces you would create within your body in order to run that fast would cause you muscles to tear and bones to shatter.
In swimming we're seeing a HUGE leap forward in technology as it pertains both to how we train and what we put on our bodies. For instance, how fast could Matt Biondi swum a 50 or 100 if he had access to the wealth of information we have now just 15 years later in regards to training, nutrition and suits.
Could he possibly 20 47 low in the 100 if he were in his 20's/early 30's right now?
And to my point, imagine the 50 free. How fast is "impossible"? We just say Bousquet take 1/4 second of the 50 free WR. What's the limit? You'd think at some point someone's going to set a WR that will never be broken.
Ya, seriously. So many guys on the basketball court could have dominated the swimming pool. Tallest swimmer I can think of is Amaury Leveaux... who is 6'8... anyone know someone who is 6'9?
So unless there's some kind of disadvantage to being too tall... but I don't think there is...
doesn't someone here have a 7-ft armspan?
I think Tim Duncan was a swimmer before he played basketball. The pool he trained in was destroyed by a hurricane and wasn't rebuilt. With no swimming facility he ended up playing basketball. Kiki Vandeweghe was also a swimmer in his youth and held national records for a very long time. I think it is very possible that a tall swimmer (7 ft) will come along.
I can't imagine it would be a disadvantage.
Tim
I think Tim Duncan was a swimmer before he played basketball. The pool he trained in was destroyed by a hurricane and wasn't rebuilt. With no swimming facility he ended up playing basketball. Kiki Vandeweghe was also a swimmer in his youth and held national records for a very long time. I think it is very possible that a tall swimmer (7 ft) will come along.
I can't imagine it would be a disadvantage.
Tim
Can't wait to share this with the UC Irvine womens basketball team who swims a session after I coach a masters practice!
Also, you may have seen this...
I have a few incredible waterpolo players who train with masters just to stay in shape. One of them is a former USA Olympian. He KILLS the swimmers - and his kick is to die for...
All tall - all powerful - and not just in the sprints.
Seems there have always been potential great swimmers in waterpolo and vice versa. This is a swim coaches nightmare in and around junior high school when the kids have to choose sports.
Remember The Albatross? YouTube - 16 days of glory - albatross
Heck yeah, he was awesome. He also ran around a 2:30 marathon.
The video should have included his 200 fly encounter with The Shrimp.
en.wikipedia.org/.../Jon_Sieben(a foot shorter?) beat Gross for Olympic gold and stole his WR.
Ya, seriously. So many guys on the basketball court could have dominated the swimming pool. Tallest swimmer I can think of is Amaury Leveaux... who is 6'8... anyone know someone who is 6'9?
So unless there's some kind of disadvantage to being too tall... but I don't think there is...
doesn't someone here have a 7-ft armspan?
I think the record-breaking will slow down, eventually, but to me, swimming is still such a trailblazing sport right now. From collectively learning not to belly flop to using a track start to using dolphin kick, it seems there's still at least once-in-a-generation technique changes that speed up the sport. Right now, suits might be temporarily taking the place of any great technique revelation.
And when the record-breaking comes to a standstill, whose to say the human front of progress is not exactly like that of the individual's? That everyone can collectively come to a vast plateau, after which according to some, even greater heights can be attained?
Rolandas Gimbutis swam at Cal several years ago and he was 6'10".
At the 2005 Stanford Invitational, Phelps passed Gimbutis at the end of the 100M free for the win.
On the awards stand, Gimbutis looked to be taller than Phelps despite standing on the 2nd place step. I wish that I had taken a picture.
Masters swimmer Jonathan Churins is 6'9". Hey man are you on this forum? If not I'll just yell at him on Facebook
Mike Barrowman was short. I remember seeing him swim in a summer league divisional meet. Standing behind the, um, lip of the pool, since blocks weren't used, he was noticeably shorter than the other 15-18's in the fast heat. Then he dove in and destroyed everyone, even though he appeared to be loafing. :applaud:
